# lemon balm (*Melissa officinalis*) Lemon balm is a sweet-smelling plant that belongs to the mint family. It has bright green leaves that can make your garden smell wonderful and is often used in teas. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Gardens - **Also known as:** Sweet balm ![lemon balm](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425884/objects/3193.jpg) ## Appearance The lemon balm has bright green, wrinkly leaves that are heart-shaped with scalloped edges, growing on square stems. Its tiny, pale white or yellowish flowers cluster where leaves meet the stem. It looks similar to mint but has a distinct lemony fragrance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Lamiaceae - **Genus:** Melissa ## Interesting facts - Ancient Roman soldiers used its leaves to make soothing wound dressings. - Crushing a leaf releases a strong, fresh lemon candy smell! - It was once believed to banish sadness and bring joy to the heart! - Its scientific name 'Melissa' means 'honey bee' in ancient Greek! ## Special abilities - **Scent Shield:** Lemon balm produces a strong lemony scent that helps it defend against some insect pests. - **Nectar Beacon:** Lemon balm flowers produce abundant nectar that helps it reproduce by attracting vital pollinators like bees. - **Spreading Roots:** Lemon balm can spread rapidly using underground runners, helping it colonize new areas and thrive. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-90 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen - **Symbiotic with:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Cultivated for tea, medicine, and scent - **Eaten by:** Grey Field Slug (*Deroceras reticulatum*) — Chews on its soft, fragrant leaves ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Spice](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spice): This human use trait indicates species from which spices are derived, used for flavoring, preserving food, or as aromatic agents. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always check with an adult before tasting any plant. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify lemon balm? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is lemon balm? 30-90 cm ### How wide does lemon balm spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on lemon balm? 0.5-1 cm ### When does lemon balm bloom? Summer ### Is lemon balm edible? Yes ### Is lemon balm toxic? None ### What is lemon balm's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crystal-springs-rhododendron-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [Fairway Woods Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairway-woods-park) — Kansas, US · Park - [Crooked Creek Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crooked-creek-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [University of Málaga Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/university-of-malaga-botanic-garden) — Mainland, ES · Park [View all places to see lemon balm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/lemon-balm) ## Watch - [Play video: lemon balm](https://www.snappit.app/videos/lemon-balm) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=ggFHchOEp68) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Lemon Balm: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lemon-balm)